Inspired by a vision of a more sustainable future, the Palais des congrès de Montréal has become a recognised leader in the events industry, turning bold ideas into meaningful action.
Through collaboration, a comprehensive Sustainability Action Plan, and enhanced client support, we are redefining what it means to host responsible, forward-thinking events.
We work hand in hand with clients and suppliers to promote responsible practices, offering practical tools and expert guidance to make eco-conscious choices simple and impactful.
Cultivating the future on our rooftop
The Palais’ green roof is a model of sustainable urban agriculture, uniting food production, community engagement, and research. Developed in partnership with the Laboratoire sur l’agriculture urbaine (AU/LAB), this unique space is not only a living laboratory, but also a thriving environmental and social initiative, actively driving the ecological transition.
Since its inauguration in 2011, the Palais’s green roof has become an internationally recognised symbol of urban agriculture. Following a major expansion in 2023 that increased its surface area to 35,000 ft² (3,250 m²), new research projects on rooftop vegetable production, agrotourism, and marketing have been launched, confirming its status as a driving force behind Montréal’s international reputation in urban agriculture.
The green roof fosters innovation through the testing of new crops, development of local gastronomic products, and applied research in areas such as irrigation, intercropping, and vertical farming. At the same time, it contributes to food security through the redistribution of harvests to social partners, provides meaningful gardening and learning experiences for refugees, immigrants, and employees, and welcomes visitors and professionals for awareness activities.
Rooftop garden of the Palais © Palais des congrès de Montréal
Putting AI to work for waste management
The Palais has teamed up with Polytechnique Montréal, Canada’s leading engineering university, to make events greener through artificial intelligence.
This innovative collaboration aims to develop an intelligent system to manage waste generated by events held at the Palais. In other words, the system is designed to identify, characterise, and quantify waste produced during each event.
Through this data collection, the Palais hopes to acquire a better understanding of consumption habits and waste production related to events. The goal is to develop customised strategies for each type of event to effectively reduce waste generation and promote more sustainable alternatives.
The Palais: an AI trailblazer in the industry
This project is also part of a continuum of successful collaborations between the Palais and Polytechnique Montréal, under a programme led by Mitacs, a Canadian organisation that promotes research and innovation by creating partnerships between universities, industries, and governments.
This initiative also reflects the Palais’ desire to integrate AI into its operational processes to improve productivity and offer added value to its clients, positioning it as a trailblazer in the industry. The Palais is developing other AI applications, such as a computer vision system to evaluate room occupancy and management, and a performance optimisation tool to gradually automate certain administrative tasks.
AI project on waste management © Palais des congrès de Montréal
Redefining dining with a planetary health menu
Designed for large events, the planetary health menu was crafted by the Palais’ exclusive food services partner, Maestro Culinaire, and Équiterre, a prominent Canadian non-profit organisation committed to social and environmental justice based in Montréal.
What is a planetary health menu?
It’s a menu designed from local, sustainable, and nutritious foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, as well as local and sustainable sources of protein. It limits the use of processed foods, favouring seasonal items produced using environmentally friendly agricultural methods. A key element of this approach is prioritising plant-based ingredients.
There are several benefits to adopting a planetary health menu:
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Environmentally: Reducing transportation distances decreases greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on imports. Foods brought in by plane require 10 to 20 times more fuel than those produced locally.
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Sustainably: Eating locally and in season reduces emissions by about 25% to 30%. Fresher, less processed foods are also healthier, while buying directly supports the local economy and saves money.
Maestro Culinaire’s steadfast commitment to Québec’s biofood economy was recently recognised with the Aliments du Québec au menu distinction, which honours institutions and restaurants that highlight Québec products in their culinary offerings.
The planetary health menu is available to all Palais clients, and the dishes featured are an integral part of the regular menu offered by its exclusive food partner.
Planetary health menu © Aurore Chollet – Studio Point Devue
Let us support you in hosting sustainable, impactful events
Contact us today!
By email at sales@congresmtl.com or by phone at +1 514 871-8122 or 1 800 268-8122 (toll-free in Canada).